Utilizing Volunteered Geographic Information to Develop a Real-Time Disaster Mapping Tool: A Prototype and Research Framework

The global proliferation of personal mobile devices has provided the capability of electronic data collection to billions of people. Furthermore, recent innovations in technologies and implementation methodologies have allowed groups of people to collect and analyze large quantities of data. Examples of such systems include Wikipedia, a community-sourced digital encyclopedia, and Yelp, a directory and review tool of local businesses. The occurrence of important events or the establishment of new restaurants has motivated individuals to provide timely and accurate contributions to Wikipedia or Yelp, respectively. Considering the benefits of widespread data collection capabilities and the motivations to contribute to public knowledge, this design-science paper proposes and prototypes components of a publically driven, real-time disaster-response mapping system

Impact of Geospatial Reasoning Ability and Perceived Task-Technology Fit on Decision-Performance: The Moderating Role of Task Characteristics

Consumer, business and governmental entities increasingly rely on spatial decision support systems (SDSS) for decision-making involving geospatial data. Understanding user- and task-characteristics that impact decision performance will allow developers of such systems to maximize geospatial decision-making performance. Furthermore, scholars will benefit from a more comprehensive understanding of what specific characteristics influence decision-making as such knowledge can guide future research in the decision sciences domain. This paper provides a synthesis of geospatial reasoning ability, task-complexity, geovisualization and decision-performance research. A two-factor experiment designed to measure the impact of geospatial reasoning ability on decision-performance is performed. Two treatments, problem-complexity and map-complexity, are investigated for their moderating role on decision-performance. A partial least squares analysis is performed to assess the experiment results. Cognitive Fit Theory is used as the theoretical framework of this study and is extended, along with research in decision-performance and geospatial reasoning ability

The Effects of Geospatial Website Attributes on eImage: An Exploratory Study

This research-in-progress analyzes the impacts of geospatial website attributes on eImage, or the online image of an organization. Specifically, geospatial attributes on websites of service-oriented businesses that must convince consumers to visit their physical locations are addressed. Limited existing research regarding geospatial website attributes provided the motivation to conduct this study. Additionally, the moderating impact of geospatial reasoning ability on eImage is explored. The results of this study will further electronic commerce and human-computer interaction research, expand the understanding of website attributes and their effects on eImage, as well as provide practical guidance for web designers

Association between MAPT polymorphism but not APOE promoter and elite rugby athlete status

INTRODUCTION: Incidence and outcomes of concussions have been hypothesised to be genetically influenced. The APOE Promoter G219T (rs405509) polymorphism has been associated with differential promoter activity and unfavourable outcomes after traumatic brain injury. The TT genotype is associated with a 3-fold greater risk of multiple concussions. The TT genotype of MAPT (rs10445337) has also been associated with poorer outcomes after concussion. Rugby has one of the highest incidences of concussion in sport, so it was hypothesised that APOE Promoter TT and MAPT TT genotypes would be less prevalent in elite rugby athletes because those genotypes, previously associated with increased risk, would be less compatible with achieving elite athlete status. METHODS: Participants were from the RugbyGene project, comprising elite Caucasian male rugby athletes (n = 528; mean (standard deviation) height 1.85 (0.07) m, mass 101 (14) kg, age 29 (7) yr), including 420 rugby union (RU) athletes that for some analyses were divided into forwards and backs and 108 rugby league (RL) athletes. Non-athletes were 592 Caucasian men and women (57% male, height 1.72 (0.10) m, mass 74 (14) kg, age 31 (7) yr). PCR of genomic DNA was used to determine genotypes using TaqMan probes, then groups were compared using χ2 and odds ratio (OR) statistics. RESULTS: All genotype data were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. For MAPT (rs10445337), the risk genotype (TT) was underrepresented in rugby athletes (60%) compared to non-athletes (66%), CT more common in rugby athletes (34%) than non-athletes (29%) and little difference in CC genotype frequencies (χ2 = 7.092, P = 0.029; TT genotype frequency OR = 0.80, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.62-1.02). There were no differences in MAPT (rs10445337) genotype frequencies between RU forwards and backs. For APOE Promoter G219T (rs405509), there were no differences in genotype frequencies between all athletes (RU and RL) and non-athletes (27% TT genotype in players and non-athletes), nor between RU forwards and backs. CONCLUSION: The MAPT (rs10445337) TT genotype is 6% less common in elite rugby athletes than non-athletes. Therefore, carrying at least one rs10445337 C allele appears to increase the probability of sustained career success in the high-risk concussion environment of elite rugby, perhaps via a greater ability to recover from concussions.Peer reviewe

Association of MMP3 but not TIMP2 gene variants with elite rugby player status and rugby code

Introduction: Achilles tendon pathology and anterior cruciate ligament rupture are multifactorial conditions for which genetic risk factors have been identified. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the MMP3 (rs591058, rs679620, rs650108) and TIMP2 (rs4789932) genes have previously been associated with tendon and ligament pathologies. Although not entirely clear, prior literature indicates the risk alleles for Achilles tendon pathology as T (rs591058), G (rs679620) and A (rs650108) for MMP3. However, prior evidence regarding TIMP2 is equivocal. MMP3 is considered an essential regulator of matrix degradation and remodelling within diseased and normal musculoskeletal soft tissues. TIMP2 maintains homeostasis in the extracellular matrix in part by inhibiting MMP function. Given the high incidence and severity of tendon and ligament injuries in elite rugby athletes, we hypothesised that the aforementioned SNPs would be associated with career success. Methods: Participants from the RugbyGene project were elite Caucasian male rugby athletes (n = 566; mean (standard deviation) height 1.85 (0.07) m, mass 101 (14) kg, age 29 (7) yr), including 420 rugby union (RU) athletes that for some analyses were divided into forwards and backs and 120 rugby league (RL) athletes. Non-athletes were 589 Caucasian men and women (n = 589, 57% male, height 1.72 (0.10) m, mass 74 (14) kg, age 31 (7) yr). PCR of genomic DNA was used to determine genotypes using TaqMan probes, then groups were compared using Χ2 and odds ratio (OR) statistics. Results: As hypothesized, the MMP3 rs591058 risk genotype (TT) was less frequent in rugby athletes (28%) compared to non-athletes (33%) (Χ2 = 7.265, P = 0.026; OR = 1.18, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.86-1.63). No differences were found for MMP3 rs679620, rs650108 or TIMP2 rs4789932 between rugby athletes and non-athletes. When RL athletes were compared to non-athletes, the risk genotype (TT) of MMP3 rs591058 was underrepresented in RL athletes (19%) compared to non-athletes (33%). The MMP3 rs679620 ‘protective’ allele (C) was more frequent in RL athletes (55%) compared to non-athletes (48%) (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.98-1.74). However, for MMP3 rs650108 the ‘risk’ allele (A) was overrepresented in RL athletes (32%) compared to non-athletes (26%). There were no genotype differences for any gene variant between RU athletes and non-athletes. The ‘risk’ allele (T) of the MMP3 rs679629 polymorphism and the ‘protective’ allele (G) of the MMP3 rs650108 polymorphism were less common in RL (45%, 68%, respectively) than RU athletes (54%, 76%, respectively). Conclusion: We provide evidence for elite rugby athletes possessing a protective genetic profile regarding tendon and ligament injury risk. Notably, a less frequent rs591058 TT genotype in athletes suggests a lower risk of injury could therefore enhance career success in rugby. Furthermore, RL players appear to have differing genetic characteristics compared to their RU counterparts, which might reflect some differences in physiological demands between codes.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Spatiotemporal features of early neuronogenesis differ in wild-type and albino mouse retina

In albino mammals, lack of pigment in the retinal pigment epithelium is associated with retinal defects, including poor visual acuity from a photoreceptor deficit in the central retina and poor depth perception from a decrease in ipsilaterally projecting retinal fibers. Possible contributors to these abnormalities are reported delays in neuronogenesis (Ilia and Jeffery, 1996) and retinal maturation (Webster and Rowe, 1991). To further determine possible perturbations in neuronogenesis and/or differentiation, we used cell-specific markers and refined birth dating methods to examine these events during retinal ganglion cell (RGC) genesis in albino and pigmented mice from embryonic day 11 (E11) to E18. Our data indicate that relative to pigmented mice, more ganglion cells are born in the early stages of neuronogenesis in the albino retina, although the initiation of RGC genesis in the albino is unchanged. The cellular organization of the albino retina is perturbed as early as E12. In addition, cell cycle kinetics and output along the nasotemporal axis differ in retinas of albino and pigmented mice, both absolutely, with the temporal aspect of the retina expanded in albino, and relative to the position of the optic nerve head. Finally, blocking melanin synthesis in pigmented eyecups in culture leads to an increase in RGC differentiation, consistent with a role for melanin formation in regulating RGC neuronogenesis. These results point to spatiotemporal defects in neuronal production in the albino retina, which could perturb expression of genes that specify cell fate, number, and/or projection phenotyp

Recent advances in developing tropical nickel agromining

Hyperaccumulator plants can be utilized as ‘metal crops’ in agromining operations. This emerging technology produces ‘bio-ore’ by growing ‘metal crops’ on sub-economic ore materials, such as natural ultramafic soils. In a typical application plant material is periodically harvested, followed by air-drying and incineration to produce the bio-ore intermediate. The bio-ore is of very high grade (>15 wt. % nickel), and of high purity, and may be processed into a number of different products (including nickel metal, nickel-based catalysts and pure nickel salts). Current research efforts from our team focus on Mediterranean climate field trials (Albania, Spain) and tropical climate field trials (Malaysia, Indonesia). Field-scale demonstrations are required to provide evidence of real-life performance and of economic viability. If the trials are successful, agromining may in the near future support local livelihoods with income opportunities as an alternative type of agriculture: to farm nickel

An Investigation into Genetic Associations with Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Injuries in Elite Rugby – Preliminary Findings

Peer reviewe

Bone Mineral Density and Associated Genetic Variants in High-level Caucasian Marathon Runners

INTRODUCTION:Endurance runners (except those who may have low energy availability) tend to have higher total and/or loading site-specific bone mineral density (BMD) in comparison with non-athletes, most likely due to the larger volume of exercise completed. A large genetic component also contributes to BMD, although little is known about which specific genes are involved, whether particular genotypes are sensitive to mechanical loading and the impact of such an interaction on BMD. This study investigated if high-level endurance runners possess enhanced BMD associated with an “advantageous” genetic predisposition, via a potential gene-physical activity interaction.METHODS:Age- and weight-adjusted total BMD (TBMD) and leg BMD (LBMD) measured via Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of 67 high-level Caucasian marathon runners (males < 2 h 45 min, n = 37; females < 3 15 min, n = 30) was compared with 40 male and 26 female non-athletes. LRP5 rs3736228, TNFRSF11B rs4355801, VDR rs2228570, WNT16 rs3801387 and AXIN1 rs9921222 variants were then investigated singularly, and collectively, as a total genotype score (TGS) via multivariate analysis of variance in a subgroup of this cohort (male runners n = 19, controls n = 26; female runners n = 17, controls n = 14). RESULTS:Male runners had higher TBMD (1.34 vs 1.28 g/cm2; P=0.02) and LBMD (1.53 vs 1.42 g/cm2; P=<0.01) than non-athletes. Female runners had higher LBMD than non-athletes (1.30 vs 1.22 g/cm2; P=0.02) but not TBMD (1.23 vs 1.18 g/cm2; P=0.22). An interaction (P=0.047) was observed between VDR rs2228570 genotype and group regarding LBMD in males: ff genotype runners had 0.02 g/cm2 higher LBMD than FF or Ff runners, but the FF genotype had the highest LBMD (1.45 g/cm2) amongst non-athletes. LBMD was also 0.12 g/cm2 higher in ff runners compared to ff non-athletes, whereas FF and Ff runners had 0.09 g/cm2 higher LBMD compared to their genotype-matched controls. No other interactions or variants, individually or collectively as part of a TGS, were associated with BMD (P≥0.11). CONCLUSION:High-level female runners possess higher LBMD but not TBMD in comparison with non-athletes whereas male runners possess both higher TBMD and LBMD than non-athletes. Consistent with prior literature, we observed higher BMD in VDR rs2228570 FF genotype in non-athletes, which may be due to increased biological activity associated with the F variant. However, our preliminary data suggest that the ff genotype may be associated with enhanced LBMD in male runners via a gene-environment interaction.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio